Experts warn of risk of disease after floods in RS

In addition to the deaths and the almost 600,000 people left homeless, the rains that have hit Rio Grande do Sul since the end of April are likely to generate another problem for the state's residents: illnesses resulting from the floods.

Infectious disease specialist Natalia Reis, from Santa Casa de São José dos Campos, states that the medical community already observes three phases of diseases: those with rapid diagnosis, diseases in the incubation period and psychosomatic ones. According to the latest Civil Defense bulletin, released on Monday morning (20), more than 2.3 million people were affected by floods in the state.

“In the first phase, we will have many cases of gastroenteritis, hepatitis A, skin diseases and respiratory viral infections. Secondly, diseases that have a longer incubation period will be more worrying, for example: leptospirosis and dengue. All arboviruses have a longer incubation period, like chikungunya”, said the infectious disease specialist.

Reis warns of a third stage: illnesses of a psychological nature, generated due to the trauma experienced by survivors. “There is this immediate repercussion now, which is really saving people and getting them out of this initial crisis. But there is also powder”, concluded the doctor.

Water contamination

Epidemiologist Natan Katz, professor at the Faculty of Medicine at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, highlights that it is also necessary to pay attention to other diseases, such as poisonings that cause diarrhea.

“We have very frequent diarrheal diseases, both due to drinking contaminated water and often due to hygiene difficulties. Because there is no water, it is therefore difficult to clean hands and food,” commented Katz.

The epidemiologist emphasizes the concern about infections caused by contaminated water, as, according to him, just contact with the flood, even without ingestion, can have consequences, as is the case with leptospirosis and allergic and infectious skin diseases.

Prevention Actions

Infectious disease specialist Natalia Reis warns of the need to expand vaccination campaigns among the state's population.

“The whole country has to be alert about this. Diseases that may have been under control need more attention, such as H1N1, as we are in the seasonal period. In most states it has already started,” she said.

In some areas, people have already been allowed to return to their homes. The doctor states that, when returning home, it is necessary to maintain care.

“They cannot come into contact with mud or water without protection. So you have to wear boots. You have to wear closed shoes with a plastic bag involved and clean them with bleach”, warned the infectious disease specialist.

Doctor Natan Katz assesses that the responsibility of the government of Rio Grande do Sul is to ensure the proper functioning of the health care network.

“There will have to be an effort to evaluate each of these places, whether they are in a position to serve people with due asepsis, ensuring that the places are adequately clean” stated the epidemiologist.